Collapsible frame structure for self-opening umbrella

ABSTRACT

A collapsible frame structure is provided for umbrella with self-opening mechanism. The collapsible frame structure is more durable than the prior art by using enforced light-weighted materials such as FRP to form the umbrella frame and steel bars to form the linkage beams. Each of an inner end of each second pivotal-coupling device is in contact with an outer end of the inner linking member of the support rib. Therefore, the collapsible frame structure is easy in assembly process and the yield ratio is also increased.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to umbrellas, and more particularly, to acollapsible frame structure for umbrella with a self-opening mechanismthat allows the umbrella, after being collapsed, to be openedautomatically without manual effort from the user. Furthermore, theinner end of each second pivotal-coupling device is in contact with anouter end of the inner linking member of the support rib, according tothe present invention, the setting position for second pivotal-couplingdevice at the supporting rib is easy and accurate in assembly process,therefore, the yield ratio will be increased.

2. Description of Related Art

A collapsible umbrella (also called a foldable umbrella) allows the userto collapse the umbrella when the umbrella is not in use for easystorage or carriage. Collapsible umbrellas are typically provided with aself-opening mechanism that allows the umbrella, after being collapsed,to be opened automatically without manual effort from the user.Conventional collapsible umbrellas, as shown in FIG. 4 is U.S. Pat. No.6,076,540 which is assigned to the same applicant of the presentinvention, however, it can not be easily assembled during manufacturingdue to setting position of coupling structure of supporting rib in thecollapsible frame structure encountering difficulties, which will beillustratively described in the followings.

In assembly, the inner end of the main rib 15 is coupled to the upperrunning hub 14; the inner end of the supporting rib 17 is coupled to theintermediate running hub 13 and the outer end of the same is coupled tothe middle of the main rib 15 by means of the first pivotal-couplingdevice 16; and the linkage beam 19 is connected to the secondpivotal-coupling device 18 by hooking its upper hook and to the bottomrunning hub 11 by hooking its bottom hook.

The correct coupling position of the second pivotal-coupling device 18is at the hooking position of the upper hook of the linkage beam 19. Itmeans that the second pivotal-coupling device 18 should be installed ata correct position of the supporting rib 17 with respect to the innerlinking member 173. This is because that the elasticity of the spiralspring 12 is related to the force and the speeds of opening and foldingan umbrella. The faster the speed, the larger the force required tooperate the umbrella. Furthermore, the force and the speeds of openingand folding an umbrella also relate to the correct position of thesecond pivotal-coupling device 18. Therefore, in mass production, how tofix the second pivotal-coupling device 18 to a correct position at thesupporting rib 17 has become an important problem to be resolved.

In general, for increasing the yield, it is often the quality isdeteriorated. Furthermore, if the assembly work is performed in night,the quality will further deteriorate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide acollapsible frame structure for self-opening umbrella, wherein thequality is improved by deleting the carelessness of the operator inassembly process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleframe structure for self-opening umbrella, wherein the length of theinner side of second pivotal-coupling device for supporting a rib isprolonged to contact the outer end of the inner linking member.Therefore, the setting position for second pivotal-coupling device atthe supporting rib is easy and accurate in assembly process.Furthermore, the yield ratio will be increased and the cost of QC willbe reduced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleframe structure for self-opening umbrella, wherein in storing theumbrella, the linkage beam can be stored in the trench. Therefore, thevolume of the frame between the intermediate running hub and bottomrunning hub can be reduced, so that an umbrella with two ribs can bestored.

In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the presentinvention, an improved collapsible frame structure is provided forself-opening umbrella. The collapsible frame structure of the inventionincludes:

a main shaft; a bottom running hub slidably mounted on the main shaft;an intermediate running hub slidably mounted on the main shaft; anelastic member mounted on the main shaft between the bottom running huband the intermediate running hub; an upper running hub fixedly mountedon a top of the main shaft; a plurality of main ribs, each being madefrom enforced FRP and having one end pivotally linked to the upperrunning hub; a plurality of supporting ribs having a double-bar beamportion, each being made from enforced FRP and having an outer linkingmember formed at one end thereof pivotally connected to the main rib, aninner linking member formed at the other end thereof pivotally linked tothe intermediate running hub; a plurality of linkage beams, each beingmade from a steel bar formed with a bottom hook connected to the bottomrunning hub and an upper hook pivotally coupled to each of thesupporting rib; a plurality of first pivotal-coupling devices, eachcoupling an outer end of each of the supporting rib to each of the mainrib, each of the first pivotal-coupling devices including a tubularmember to have each of the main rib to pass therethrough and at leastone ear formed thereunder with a hole pivotally connected to each of theouter linking member of the supporting rib; a plurality of secondpivotal-coupling devices each being made through injection molding withnylon plastics, each devices including a linking member having twoparallel through holes formed therein to allow the double-bar beamportion of each of the supporting rib to pass through, said linkingmember being formed with a plurality of pivotal shafts coupling hole ina middle portion thereof to hook with the upper hook of each of thelinkage beams, allowing each of the linkage beam to be pivotally coupledto each of the supporting ribs; and an inner end of each secondpivotal-coupling device being in contact with an outer end of the innerlinking member of each support rib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference madeto the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plane schematic view of a self-opening umbrella according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rib structure of thepresent invention for self-opening umbrella;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of second pivotal-coupling device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a plane schematic view of a folded umbrella, wherein a part isa cross-sectional view for showing each of the linkage beam is hidden ineach of the second pivotal-coupling device of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a plane schematic view of the conventional self-openingumbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the collapsible frame structure according tothe invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, the collapsibleframe structure of the invention includes a main shaft 10, a bottomrunning hub 11, an elastic member such as a spiral spring 12, anintermediate running hub 13, an upper running hub 14, a radiating frameof main ribs 15, a first pivotal-coupling device 16, a frame ofsupporting ribs 17, a second pivotal-coupling device 18, and a frame oflinkage beams 19 between the second pivotal-coupling device 18 and thebottom running hub 11. The present invention has a secondpivotal-coupling device 18 for coupling each supporting rib 17 to theassociated linkage beam 19. Moreover, for the purpose of making theumbrella more light-weighted, the main rib 15 and the supporting rib 17are all made from a reinforced light-weighted material, such as fabricreinforced plastics (FRP), while the first pivotal-coupling device 16 onthe main rib 15 and the second pivotal-coupling device 18 on thesupporting rib 17 are formed by injection molding with nylon plastics.

The supporting rib 17 has a double-bar beam portion, each of one endformed with an outer linking member 172 and the other end formed with aninner linking member 173, with the outer and inner linking members 172,173 each formed with a double-coupling hole for coupling the double-barbeam portion of the supporting rib 17 (the beam-portion of thesupporting rib 17 is a double-bar beam structure 170 including twoparallel bars) to the intermediate running hub 13 and the firstpivotal-coupling device 16, respectively. Adhesives or ultrasonic wavewelding techniques can be used to combine the main rib 15 and thesupporting rib 17 with the pivotal-coupling devices. The firstpivotal-coupling device 16 includes a tubular member 160 formed with apair of ears 161. The first pivotal-coupling device 16 allows thesupporting rib 17 to be pivotally coupled to the main rib 15. Thesupporting rib 17 and the outer and inner linking members 172, 173 arealso formed through injection molding with nylon plastics. The linkagebeam 19 is made of a steel bar which is bent into the shape shown inFIG. 2 with a bottom hook 191 at one end and an upper hook 192 at theother end.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the characteristics of the present inventionis that the section of the inner end of the second pivital-couplingdevice 18 capable of being passed through by the two supporting ribs 17and the inner end 187 of second pivotal-coupling device 18 is prolongedso as to contact the outer end 1731 of the inner linking member 173 ofthe supporting rib 17. Therefore, by the elastic force of the spiralspring 12, the second pivotal-coupling device 18 can be installed at acorrect position of the supporting rib 17. Therefore, it is unnecessaryto adjust for ribs of different specifications. Thus, by this smallimprovement, not only the yield ratio is improved, but also theproduction cost is reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, another characteristics of the presentinvention is that the second pivotal-coupling device 18 has two linkingmember 180—180, a trench 182 between the two linking member 180—180, aconnecting portion 183 in the trench 182, and a plurality of pivotalshaft 186A-186D for pivotally connecting the upper hook 192 of thelinkage beam 19. Therefore, two linking members 180—180 are connectedintegrally. Thereby, ribs of different specification may selectdifferent pivotal shaft in assembly. In storing the umbrella, thelinkage beam 19 can be stored in the trench 182. Therefore, the volumeof the frame between the intermediate running hub 13, and bottom runninghub 11 (referring to FIG. 3) can be reduced. Therefore, an umbrella withtwo ribs can be stored in a compact volume.

In summary, since the length of the inner end of second pivital-couplingdevice of the supporting rib is prolonged to contact with the outer endof the inner linking member of the supporting rib. The invention istherefore easy in assembly process during manufacturing. Furthermore,the yield ratio will be increased.

The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments.However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended tocover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of theclaims, therefore, should be accordant with the broadest interpretationso as to encompass all such modifications and the similar arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible frame structure for an umbrellawith a self-opening mechanism, which comprises: a main shaft; a bottomrunning hub slidably mounted on the main shaft; an intermediate runninghub slidably mounted on the main shaft; an elastic member mounted on themain shaft between the bottom running hub and the intermediate runninghub; an upper running hub fixedly mounted on a top of the main shaft; aplurality of main ribs, each being made from enforced FRP and having oneend pivotally linked to the upper running hub; a plurality of supportingribs having a double-bar beam portion, each being made from enforced FRPand having an outer linking member formed at one end thereof, an innerlinking member formed at the other end thereof pivotally linked to theintermediate running hub; a plurality of linkage beams, each being madefrom a steel bar formed with a bottom hook connected to the bottomrunning hub and an upper hook pivotally coupled to one of the supportingribs; a plurality of first pivotal-coupling devices, each coupling anouter end of one of the supporting ribs to one of the main ribs, each ofthe first pivotal-coupling devices including a tubular member to haveone of the main ribs pass therethrough and at least one ear formedthereunder with a hole pivotally connected to one of the outer linkingmembers of the linkage supporting; a plurality of secondpivotal-coupling devices each being made through injection molding withnylon plastics, each coupling the upper hook of one of the linkage beamsto one of the supporting ribs and each of the second pivotal-couplingdevices including a member having two parallel tubular members formedtherein said member being formed with a plurality of shafts between saidtwo parallel tubular members so as to enable said shafts to be hooked bythe upper hook of one of the linkage beams, allowing each of the linkagebeams to be pivotally coupled to each of the supporting ribs and thebottom running hub; and each of the second pivotal-coupling devices ofthe supporting rib being integrally formed with each of the innerlinking members of the supporting rib so as to form a compoundpivotal-coupling device.
 2. The collapsible frame structure as claimedin claim 1, wherein a trench is formed between the two tubular members,and the plurality of shafts are formed within the trench with each shaftconnecting the two tubular members together.
 3. The collapsible framestructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the umbrella is folded, eachof the linkage beams is stored in the trench of the secondpivotal-coupling device.